The philosopher known as the father of modern political philosophy is Thomas Hobbes. His works, particularly "Leviathan," published in 1651, explore the nature of human beings and the necessity of a strong centralized authority to maintain peace and prevent chaos. Hobbes introduced concepts of social contract theory, asserting that individuals consent to form societies for mutual protection, surrendering some freedoms in exchange for security. His ideas laid important foundations for later political thought and shaped discussions on governance and individual rights.